Transformational Multi-Purpose Smoking Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a novel water pipe whereby the main body of the water pipe is formed of expandable/collapsible accordion configured walls and is adaptable for use in multiple configurations for different modes of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, there has been an increasing popularity in the use ofwater pipes for smoking. One of the more popular devices is the hookah.Indeed, across the world, there are establishments dedicated to waterpipe smoking utilizing hookahs. Even though there are persons thatutilize such devices for the use of illicit substances, the popularityof the hookah clearly demonstrates a significant following of users forlegal purposes.

As most persons familiar with the activity will attest, the traditionalhookah is large and not easily transported. Although water pipes existin smaller and more portable forms, there still are deficienciesrelating to their efficacy and utilization as a portable device. Thepresent invention addresses this difficulty. Additionally, it provides ameans to attach different types of percolators to standard-sizehookah-type water pipes currently on the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As generally understood, a water pipe is a filtration device generallyused for smoking. A substantially air- and water-tight vessel istypically contracted by adding a bowl and stem apparatus that guides airdownward to below water level whence it bubbles upward (“bubbler”)during use. In one embodiment, to get fresh air into the pipe a holeknown as the “carburetor”, or simply “hole”, is formed somewhere on thelower part of the apparatus above water level, is first kept coveredduring the smoking process, then opened to allow the smoke to be drawnby pressure. On some devices, the same effect is achieved by removingthe bowl instead of uncovering a “hole” or “carburetor”. One particularadvantage of a water pipe is that water in the apparatus can trap someheavier particles and water-soluble molecules, preventing them fromentering the smoker's airways. Additionally, in one embodiment of theinvention, the pipe is self-contained and collapses for ease ofportability and for minimizing and/or eliminating odor.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a water pipe apparatuscomprising:

-   -   a main body configured in an accordion configuration constructed        and arranged to expand and contract as desired and with an        opening for use as an ignition access or gas access;    -   a main body interior cavity formed on the interior of said        accordion main body;    -   a removable upper cap constructed to mate with an upper edge of        said main body; and with an opening for use as an ignition        access or gas outlet;    -   a removable cap constructed to mate with a lower edge of said        main body; and with an opening for use as a gas outlet or water        outlet;    -   an ignition access; and    -   a gas outlet.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes a mouthpiece utilizedwith said gas outlet.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes a removably attachedmouthpiece utilized with said gas outlet.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes a removable percolatorpositioned within said interior cavity that is useable with otherstandard-sized hookah-type water-devices for smoking when combined withan adapter.

In one embodiment, the percolator is one of spiral percolator, ahoneycomb percolator, a turbine percolator, a hanging percolator,in-line percolator, a fritted percolator or a filter.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes an ice holding devicepositioned in said main body.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes an adapter configuredfor using said apparatus with standard-sized water-smoking devices.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes a configuration forimparting a pressure differential in said interior below standardatmospheric pressure in the absence of air pressure imparted by userinhalation. That is to say, the standard pressure differential that iscreated by a user inhaling is not required. The configuration imparts apressure differential without a user sucking or inhaling through theapparatus.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes the filter beingconstructed and arranged to reduce health risks of smoking.

In one embodiment, the invention further includes the filter beingformed of cellulose acetate fiber, paper, activated carbon orcombinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in a collapsed configuration of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extended configuration of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is demonstrative of upper and lower cap portions separated from amain body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequential view of assembly and introduction of wateraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sequential view of assembly and configuration of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequential view demonstrative of using the present inventionin a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 7 is a sequential view demonstrative of using an embodiment of thepresent invention in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 8 is an environment of use in one embodiment of the presentinvention whereby the assembly is immersed in a separate container ofwater.

FIG. 9 is a sequential view demonstrative of an additive being presentedfor use according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a separated view of selectable and replaceable componentsutilized in embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is demonstrative of a plurality of shapes and configurations allcongruous with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a replaceable mouthpiece according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a replaceable mouthpiece according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an embodiment of an alternative shape of a replacementmouthpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention withability for accessories to be attached

FIG. 15 is demonstrative of a connecting device used for connectingmultiple devices together for increased size and shape customization.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the connector piece from FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is an upright embodiment of the mouthpiece in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a perspective separated view showing position of themouthpiece from FIG. 17 with an accessory attachment being utilized

FIG. 19 is a perspective separated view showing position of themouthpiece from FIG. 17 showing environment of use with multipleaccessory attachments being utilized

FIG. 20 is a side partial cross section view showing environment of use.

FIG. 21 is a side partial cross section view showing environment of use.

FIG. 22 is a side partial cross section view showing environment of use.

FIG. 23 is a perspective separated view showing position of themouthpiece from FIG. 17 showing environment of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a unitary body constructed and arranged toselectively be in a collapsed configuration 10 and expandedconfiguration 12 and any desired degree of expansion there between.Accordion body 26 is configured such that a user can expand and contractaccordion body 26 as desired. Upper 16 having handle 14 is constructedand arranged to mate with upper body screw threads 30 unitary withaccordion body 26. Lower 18 has threads 22 constructed and arranged tomeet with lower screw threads 32 unitary with the lower portion ofaccordion body 26. 18 has internal cavity 20 suitable for positioningwater therein.

In one embodiment, demonstrative of the sequential steps in FIG. 4, auser will expand accordion body 26 as desired, remove 16, add water toapparatus interior cavity 34 open 24 and utilize ignition port 36 inorder to provide a source of fire in order to burn the desired smokingmaterial.

In an embodiment demonstrated in FIG. 5, accordion body 26 is not onlycollapsible and expandable as desired, but can be curved as is generallyunderstood. One transformational feature of the invention, asdemonstrated in FIG. 5 is that inhalation can be from the opposing endby opening cap 41.

In an embodiment demonstrated in FIG. 6, a user will expand and preparethe apparatus of the present invention ignite the material desire to besmoked in upper ignition port 42 when the device is in a fully collapsedposition. Once ignition is taken place, the user will subsequentlyexpand the device remove ignition port 42, collapse the device andinhale smoke 46 exiting the device.

In an embodiment demonstrated in FIG. 7 a user will utilize theapparatus to smoke by expanding the accordion body of the apparatus,removing the top, filling the interior cavity with water, and openingcap 41 on the bottom, thus imparting a vacuum on the interior from thereleased water. The vacuum formed in this action will fill the interiorwith smoke.

In one embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 8, the lower 18 isremoved, the apparatus is placed in a vessel 50 containing water 52, theupper is removed and a user will inhale from the open upper portion ofthe device. When the accordion body of the apparatus is expanded whileigniting the smoking material, the interior cavity of the accordion boywill fill with smoke.

In one embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 9, a user will havecigarette 54 having an ignited end inserted into port 56 whereby ignitedcigarette 54 ignites an additional additive added into port 56, which isthen smoked in the device. Even though the figure demonstrates this usewith the lit end of a cigarette, any ignition source is contemplated asbeing useful for this purpose of ignition. Although among hookahenthusiasts, hookahs are known to provide additives, the configurationin the present invention is distinct as it allows a separate ignitableadditive to be utilized.

FIG. 10 demonstrates an embodiment whereby a plurality of userselectable additional components are utilized with the apparatus of thepresent invention or with other standard-size hookah-type apparatuses.Interchangeable percolators and/or filters are utilized to defuse, cleanand distribute air more evenly. These include, a spiral percolator 60 ahoneycomb percolator 62 a turbine percolator 64 a hanging percolator 66and in-line percolator 68 and a filter 70. In one embodiment, filter 70is an air filter. In one embodiment, air filter 70 is a carbon filter.The invention provides filter 70 as a filtering device that isconstructed and arranged to reduce negative effects of smoking.

In one embodiment the present invention, as demonstrated in FIG. 10 auser is able to incorporate ice capture 72 whereby smoke travels throughice and is cooled prior to being inhaled by a user.

The present invention contemplates various sizes shapes and otherconfigurations. Although most of the figures demonstrate cylindricalassembly of accordion sides 26, FIG. 11 demonstrates a plurality ofshapes colors and other customizable configurations.

As generally understood in FIGS. 12 through 16 replaceable mouthpiece 74and replaceable mouthpiece 76 are contemplated as additional componentsof the present invention that can be used with other standardhookah-type devices. Their function is to attach multiple devicestogether. As desired, connector 78 and 80 are utilized in order toextend mouthpieces outward from the device. FIGS. 12 and 13 demonstratereplaceable mouthpieces for the purpose of reducing health risksassociated with sharing mouthpieces. FIGS. 14 and 17 are demonstrativeof a movable sealer in a position extending upward or downward asdesired. FIGS. 15 and 16 demonstrate the connector used to link togethermultiple apparatuses for increased size and shape customization.

AS generally understood, when the openings on the apparatus are closed,the apparatus is airtight with the bowl piece (where combustiblematerial is placed prior to ignition) stored inside of it. The purposeof this design is to significantly reduce odor, a common problem withsimilar products.

Subsequently, when the openings on the apparatus are closed and not inuse, the apparatus is waterproof. This allows for a portable waterproof“stash box” inside of the apparatus. The size of the “stash box” can beadjusted as required by either expanding or collapsing the apparatus.

When the openings on the apparatus are closed and not in use, theapparatus is waterproof. This allows for easy cleaning, by filling theapparatus with the desired cleaning solution and shaking the apparatus.Similar products are available on the market, but consist of multipleremovable caps to cover the openings of an apparatus to allow forcleaning as described above. There are no products available that have afeature like this built in as part of the configuration In oneembodiment, the bowl piece has a spring on it that allows it to becompressed. One purpose of this is compression that will allow the bowlpiece to fit inside the apparatus. After the bowl piece is compressedand inserted into the apparatus for storage, it will expand and be heldin place by the force of the spring.

As can be seen, one feature unique to the configurations of the presentinvention is creation of pressure differential or a vacuum for theapparatus to function as desired. Typically, smoking devices functionwith pressure differential imparted when a user inhales. The presentinvention is unique in that a pressure differential is imparted withoutthe user inhaling. One advantage to this configuration is the inhalationoften produces stress on various components of smoking devices andlimits their useful time period. The stresses are often imparted bypersons exerting their inhalation, or inhaling hard/deeply. The presentinvention is unique in that when pressure differential is imparted priorto inhalation, the user merely imparts minimal pressure duringinhalation in order to move the smoke from the device into the airpassages of the user.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form orembodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that thisdescription has been given only by way of example and that numerouschanges in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, includingthe combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A water pipe apparatus comprising: a main body configured inan accordion configuration constructed and arranged to expand andcontract as desired and with an opening for use as an ignition access orgas access; a main body interior cavity formed on the interior of saidaccordion main body; a removable upper cap constructed to mate with anupper edge of said main body; and with an opening for use as an ignitionaccess or gas outlet; a removable cap constructed to mate with a loweredge of said main body; and with an opening for use as a gas outlet orwater outlet; an ignition access; and a gas outlet.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a mouthpiece utilized with said gas outlet.3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removably attachedmouthpiece utilized with said gas outlet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a removable percolator positioned within saidinterior cavity the is useable with other standard-sized hookah-typewater-devices for smoking when combined with an adapter.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said percolator is one of spiralpercolator, a honeycomb percolator, a turbine percolator, a hangingpercolator, in-line percolator, a fritted percolator or a filter.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising an ice holding device positionedin said main body.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising anadapter configured for using said apparatus with standard-sizedwater-smoking devices.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 configured forimparting a pressure differential in said interior below standardatmospheric pressure without regarding on air pressure imparted by userinhalation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the filter isconstructed and arranged to reduce health risks of smoking.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the filter is formed of cellulose acetatefiber, paper, activated carbon or combinations thereof.